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PUTTING RUMORS
TO REST

Monday, January 23, 2023

In today’s newsletter, we explore a new non-addictive painkiller, discover the genetics behind a rare hair color, confront a global ant conundrum … and prep for this year's wondrous superbloom.

A picture of a red hair blown across a person's face

PHOTOGRAPH BY KIKE CALVO, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Geneticists would like to set the record straight: Redheads are not going extinct.

The trait predates history. Scientists have found ginger Neanderthals and ancient, crimson-haired mummies. Now, after decades of research, we know how red hair evolved, the health consequences, and why the trait isn’t going anywhere.

Read the full story here.

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A picture of a crowd of redheads

PHOTOGRAPH BY BRIAN DOWLING, GETTY IMAGES

Who has the most fun? With redheads like Prince Harry and singer Reba McEntire, gingers are staying in the spotlight. Every year redheads from all over the world (like the one at top) travel to the Netherlands to celebrate Redhead Days, the world's largest redhead festival (attendees, above). Read more.

STORIES WE’RE FOLLOWING

A picture of recycling in a warehouse

PHOTOGRAPH BY RANDY OLSON, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Recycling doesn't always get recycled. What you can do. (Above, a recycling plant in San Francisco)

The fungus from The Last of Us is real—but humans have other fungi to worry about

Can fasting help you live longer?

This ancient Himalayan kingdom has been isolated from the world—until now

The goal? To create vaccines that destroy cancer cells

A new, non-addictive pain killer could replace opioids

Viruses as prey? It’s just one of the surprising roles they play

What to know about Ozempic, TikTok's favorite weight loss drug

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

A picture of an ant's head facing the camera

PHOTOGRAPH BY SOLVIN ZANKL, NATURE PICTURE LIBRARY

Empire of the ants: Researchers recently discovered more than 500 ant species in ecosystems they shouldn’t be. Most of these invasive ants originate from the tropics and subtropics, setting them up to thrive as the world warms, Nat Geo reports. Argentine fire ants, for example, have already created a super-colony stretching from Portugal to Italy (an invasive fire ant, above).

HOW TO STOP THEM

PHOTO OF THE DAY

A picture of people in a cave near tall pillars of ice

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBBIE SHONE

A race against time: The world’s ice caves are melting faster than scientists can reach them, with critical information about our climate’s history washing away each season. Nat Geo Explorer Robbie Shone set out to photograph the formations before they disappear completely. Some ice cones he captured in the Austrian cave above were once 15 stories high.

DISAPPEARING WONDERS

LAST GLIMPSE

A picture of yellow and purple flowers blanketing hillsides

PHOTOGRAPH BY JUSTIN BENTTINEN

2023 might be the year! The abundance of rain in California this winter has set the stage for a massive superbloom this spring—one that would blanket national and state parks in wildflowers (like Carrizo Plain National Monument, above, during the 2019 bloom). Nat Geo’s Alejandra Borunda explains how to see the flowers—responsibly.

RARE SUPERBLOOMS

Today's soundtrack: Jolene, Dolly Parton

Today's newsletter was curated and edited by Sydney Combs, Jen Tse, and David Beard. Have an idea or link to a story you think is right down our alley? Let us know at [email protected]. Happy trails!

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